Suttonema delta n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Trichostrongylina: Heligmosomoidea) from Oxymycterus rufus (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) in Argentina

A new nippostrongyline, Suttonema delta n. g., n. sp., is described from the intestine of Oxymycterus rufus (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) from Argentina, in a host from which trichostrongylid nematodes were hitherto unknown. The new genus is very similar to Stilestrongylus Freitas, Lent & Almeida, 1937 and Malvinema Digiani, Sutton & Durette-Desset, 2003, both parasites of Neotropical sigmodontines, in the features of the caudal bursa (with a pattern of type 1-4, asymmetrical with hypertophied right lobe) and the presence of cephalic structures resembling cuticular cordons. The larval synlophe is also identical to that of Stilestrongylus freitasi Durette-Desset, 1968. The new genus is differentiated by an adult synlophe with few ridges (9-12 at mid-body) of two different types: small, rounded ridges without cuticular support on the dorsal side, and pointed ridges of unequal size on the ventral side and in lateral fields. It is also characterised by the presence of comaretes on the left ventral and ventral fields of the synlophe.     

Banded karyotypes of mole rats (Spalax, Spalacidae, Rodentia) from Turkey: a comparative analysis

Chromosome banding (G-, C- and Ag-NOR) analysis was carried out on 27 specimens of Sphalax ehrenbergi from seven localities and two specimens of S. leucodon from one locality, all from Turkey. No chromosomal variation was detected in S. ehrenbergi populations from Elazig, Siverek, Diyarbakir and Birecik having the same diploid numbers (2n = 52) and morphology of chromosomes (NFa = 72). The karyotypes of mole rats from Tarsus and Gaziantep possessed the identical diploid number (2n = 56) but different numbers of autosomal arms: NFa = 68 in the Tarsus and NFa = 78 in the Gaziantep populations. Chromosomes of S. leucodon from Malaty (2n = 60, NFa = 74) differed distinctly in the C-banding pattern from all S. ehrenbergi cytotypes by the almost entire absence of heterochromatin in acrocentric autosomes and the presence of heterochromatin arms iin subtelocentric autosomes. Nucleolar organizing regions were found mainly on three pairs of chromosomes, but some differences in their localization were revealed. Comparison of G-banded chromosomes showed, that most chromosomes have a similar pattern. The types of chromosomal rearrangemetns were revealed due to the banding methods.     

Immunohistochemical localization of androgen receptors in female mole rat (Spalax leucodon) tissues

Androgens exert their effects through androgen receptors (AR) in tissues. We investigated the distribution of AR in female mole rat tissues. Tissues were excised, fixed with 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections were stained after microwave antigen retrieval for immunohistochemistry. Immunostaining of AR immunostaining was detected in the nucleus or cytoplasm of the cells in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, anterior pituitary, lung, liver, uterus and skin. Granulosa and some thecal cells in the ovary, cardiac muscle cells and adipose cells exhibited a nuclear reaction for AR. In the kidney, labeling of AR was restricted to the cytoplasm of tubule cells. We found that AR could be detected using immunohistochemistry in the nucleus or cytoplasm or both in the presence of androgens.     

Monodelphoxyuris dollmeiri n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Oxyurida) from Monodelphis emiliae in Peru

Monodelphoxyuris dollmeiri n. g., n. sp. is described from the caecum of Monodelphis emiliae (Thomas) (Marsupiala: Monodelphidae) collected in the eastern region of the Andes of Peru. M. dollmeiri n. sp. differs from the closest pinworm described from marsupials in the Neotropics (Didelphoxyuris thylamisis Gardner & Hugot, 1995) in having operculate eggs and males that possess a tip prolonged of tail and a different kind of area rugosa. Several other species of pinworms have been described from marsupials in Australia, but all are characterised by possessing of a buccal capsule that is strongly cuticularised with interradial lamellae. These structures are lacking both in M. dollmeiriandD. thylamisis. Monodelphoxyuris n. g. is characterised by a mouth opening into a depression and lateral alae composed of two longitudinal crests. Males possess an area rugosa composed of six ventral sagittal mamelons, a caudal extremity prolonged by a robust tip of the tail which is directed backwards, four pairs of genital papillae (two pairs lateral adanal and sessile, one pair just posterior to the spicule aperture, and the last pair at posterior extremity and pedunculate). Females possess an opisthodelphic uterus, a reflected ovary and operculate, unembryonated, oval eggs.     

Immunohistochemical localization of irisin in mole rats (Spalax leucodon)

Irisin was first identified in skeletal muscle cells. It is an exercise protein that is secreted into the circulation; it causes conversion of white adipose tissue to brown adipose tissue. We investigated irisin immunoreactivity in mole rat (Spalax leucodon) tissues. We examined cerebellum, pituitary, heart, liver, pancreas, spleen, uterus, kidney and striated muscle in female adult mole rats. Tissues were processed, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 5 μm and stained immunohistochemically for irisin. Irisin immunostaining was detected in the cytoplasm of stained cells; the cytoplasm of Purkinje cells was unstained. We found that irisin may be synthesized in many tissues. The function of locally synthesized irisin currently is unknown.     

Heterochromatin differentiation shows the pathways of karyotypic evolution in Israeli mole rats (Spalax, Spalacidae, Rodentia)

C-banding, base-specific fluorochrome staining (CMA3/DA/DAPI), and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) were used to analyze the constitutive heterochromatin in two Israeli Spalax species, S. galili (2n = 52) and S. judai (2n = 60). It was shown that C-positive centromeric heterochromatin and some telomeric sites comprise GC-rich DNA sequences in both species. Comparative genomic in situ hybridization revealed slight qualitative differences in highly repetitive sequences in the two Spalax species. Eight acrocentric pairs in S. judai that are involved in Robertsonian rearrangements, possessed composite heterochromatin with a preference of S. judai highly repetitive sequences in the proximal region. Heterochromatin of the sex chromosomes, two biarmed homologous pairs (4 and 5) in both species, and acrocentric chromosomes from the group with a variable centromere position in S. judai was entirely species-specific. The high level of homology in the composition of heterochromatin may relate to the recent divergence of Israeli Spalax. Interspecies heterochromatin differences are discussed in the context of possible mechanisms in the Spalax chromosome evolution.     

Durettechina beveridgei n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Seuratidae) from Antechinus spp. (Dasyuridae: Marsupialia) from Australia

Durettechina beveridgei n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Seuratidae) is described from Antechinus flavipes (Dasyuridae) from Victoria and New South Wales. A single female from A. bellus from the Northern Territory may also be D. beveridgei. This new genus is compared with other genera of the Echinonematinae, to which it has been assigned. The genus has a unique body armature and most closely resembles Chabaudechina, in the armature of the cephalic bulb, but has four rather than five rows of hooks, and Linstowinema, in having body hooks on the cuticle of the anterior region, but has 18–22 hooks in each row rather than 14–16. The hooks of Durettechina are also smaller and have a less complex root morphology than those of Linstowinema. Durettechina resembles Seurechina and Chabaudechina in having caudal alae into which papillae extend, but differs from both these genera in the number and arrangement of the caudal papillae, as well as in the body armature. Durettechina, is most different from Bainechina, which has neither hooks on a cephalic bulb nor body hooks on the anterior region nor caudal alae.     

Sauertylenchus labiodiscus n. gen., n. sp., from Australia (Nematoda:Tylenchorhynchinae)

Sauertylenchus labiodiscus n. gem, n. sp. is described and illustrated from soil around Rhagodia sp. in Australia. It can be distinguished from the most closely related genus Tylenchorhynchus Cobb, 1913 by the distinctly set-off, rounded, lip region with a conspicuous labial disc, and long thin stylet. The face view and spicules of Sauertylenchus labiodiscus are illustrated with scanning electron micrographs. The subfamilies Tylenchorhynchinae and Merlininae ale discussed.     

Mammalakis n. g. and Mammalakinae n. subfam. (Nematoda: Heterakoidea: Kiwinematidae): parasites of mole rats (Rodentia: Bathyergidae and spalacidae)

Heterakis macrospiculum Ortlepp, 1939 is redescribed as the type species of Mammalakis n. g., known only from mole rats, and characterised by an absence of cheilostomal flanges to the lips, and the presence of caudal expansions of the lateral alae on males and of massive spicules. H. spalacis Marcu, 1930 and H. spalaxi Kozlov & Jangolenko, 1962 are also referred to the new genus for which the Mammalakinae n. subfam. of the Kiwinematidae is erected. The new evidence, while not clarifying phylogenetic relationships within the Heterakoidea, supports the view that that superfamily had its origins before the separation of Laurasia and Gondwanaland.     

Haycocknema perplexum n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Robertdollfusidae): an intramyofibre parasite in man

Haycocknema perplexum n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Robertdollfusidae) is described from a man in Tasmania, Australia. Adult male and female nematodes and larvae were recovered from myofibres following biopsy of the right vastus lateralis muscle and were associated with a polymyositis. H. perplexum is distinguished from all other genera of the Muspiceoidea by the presence of a large amorphous cell supporting a granule-filled, flask- or gourd-shaped reservoir in the rectal region of mature and gravid female nematodes, often containing one or more large, refractile, thick-rimmed globules on the external surface of the reservoir, by the small number of ova/eggs/larvae developing in each uterus, by the minute, weakly-sclerotised, almost tubular spicule, by the presence of a pair of ampulla-shaped glands posteriorly and by the presence of lateral bacillary bands comprised of a single row of pore cells spaced irregularly and extending posteriorly to the region of the vulva in immature females.     

Rugonema labiatum n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) from the stomach of Macropus irma (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from Western Australia

Rugonema labiatum n. g., n. sp. is described from the stomach of Macropus irma (Jourdan) from Western Australia. The new genus possesses four branches to the dorsal ray, has a cylindrical buccal capsule and lacks a cervical groove, placing it within the subfamily Cloacininae Stossich, 1899. The presence of a prominently striated buccal capsule and labial as well as cephalic collars places the genus within the tribe Pharyngostrongylinea Popova, 1952, but it is distinguished from all existing genera within the tribe by the possession of four lips. The presence of lips is an important characteristic of the related tribe Zoniolaiminea (Popova, 1952) and the characters used in distinguishing these two tribes are discussed.     

Antaretylus humus n. gen., n. sp. from the Subantarctic (Nematoda: Tylenchoidea)

Antarctylus humus n. gen., n. sp. from peat soil in the subantarctic is proposed. It can be distinguished from the most closely related genus Helicotylenchus by the arrangement of the esophageal glands, the broadly rounded lip region, and the tapering pointed tail in the female.     

Passeristrongylus amandavae n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea) from the small intestine of the passeriform bird Amandava subflava

Summary Passeristrongylus amandavae n. g., n. sp. is described from the small intestine of Amandava subflava, recently imported from Africa. After discussing the systematic classification the new genus is classified within the subfamily Ornithostrongylinae. The genus is characterized by its synlophe consisting of oblique longitudinal ridges, mainly on the right side of the worms. ac]19840501     

Neorhabditostomum yeni n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda,Strongyloidea) from Muntiacus muntjak in Sabah,Malaysia

Neorhabditostomum yeni n. g., sp. is described from the intestine of the barking deer, Muntiacus muntjak, from Simatuoh, Sapulot, Sabah, Malaysia. It is distinguished from the nearest genera, namely Bourgelatoides and Rhabditostomum, in the subfamily Oesophagostominae by the presence of an elongate, unsegmented, oesophageal funnel, a single leaf crown, the separation of the oral collar by a wide groove from the cephalic vesicle, the position of the cervical papillae, the absence of filaments on the spicules and the absence of an evagination of the vulva. The significance of the arrangement of the cephalic papillae within the Stronglyloidea is discussed. ac]19860428     

Boreostrongylus romerolagi n.sp. (Nematoda,Heligmonellidae) from a Mexican volcano rabbit,Romerolagus diazi

Summary Boreostrongylus romerolagi n.sp. is described and figured from the duodenum of Romerolagus diazi collected in Mexico and which died in the Zoological Gardens, Antwerp. It is distinguished from the two nearest species of the genus B. kinsellai and B. dalrymplei by the size of the genital cone, the branching of the dorsal ray and the shorter spicules. ac]19790718